US20050180101A1 - Portable storage device with interchangeable connector - Google Patents
Portable storage device with interchangeable connector Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20050180101A1 US20050180101A1 US10/778,767 US77876704A US2005180101A1 US 20050180101 A1 US20050180101 A1 US 20050180101A1 US 77876704 A US77876704 A US 77876704A US 2005180101 A1 US2005180101 A1 US 2005180101A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- storage device
- portable storage
- memory
- external connection
- connection member
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R31/00—Coupling parts supported only by co-operation with counterpart
- H01R31/06—Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to a portable storage device, and in particular to a portable storage device having interchangeable connector whereby the portable storage device is selectively connectable to external devices having interface connections of different specifications or standards.
- the electronic portable storage devices have gone through a significant change in the history of technological development. Being magnetism based, the magnetic storage devices, such as floppy discs and hard disc drives that are inferior in data access and storage capacity, have been gradually replaced by electronic flash memory based device, such as a compact flash card, which comprises a compact case housing an amount of flash memory units. Such electronic storage devices have faster data access speed and environmental resistance, which means they can maintain normal operation in severe surroundings, such as high humidity, high temperature and high pressure. Thus, electronic storage devices are more advantageous in data transfer between electronic devices and/or computers.
- USB Universal Serial Bus
- A-type USB A-type USB
- B-type USB B-type USB
- mini-USB other standards are also available for computer systems, such as IEEE1394.
- IEEE1394 IEEE1394.
- These standards are not mechanically or electronically compatible with each other in general, which often causes troubles to general consumers in transferring data between different electronic devices or computers adopting different data transfer standards. Portability of the data storage devices between different electronic devices is thus difficult.
- the mini-USB is commonly adopted in digital camera systems
- standard A-type USB is used in general computer systems; thus, an adapter or the likes are required in downloading digital pictures from digital camera to a computer. This causes extra expense and labors in data transfer.
- the present invention is aimed to provide a portable storage device having an interchangeable connector to overcome and eliminate the problems encountered in the prior art.
- a primary objective of the present invention is to provide a portable storage device having an interchangeable connector comprising a plurality of connectors allowing for interfacing of different standard devices with different electronic devices to proceed with uploading, downloading and transfer of data among the devices.
- Another objective of the present invention is to provide a portable storage device having interchangeable connector that enhances portability of data storage between electronic devices having exchangeable interfaces among respective standards.
- a further objective of the present invention is to provide a portable storage device having interchangeable connector to select electronic devices having exchangeable interfaces among respective standards whereby one data storage device can be used with a number of different electronic devices to reduce the expense required for external data storage.
- a portable storage device having interchangeable connector comprising a body inside which at least one memory chip is arranged and forming an access opening for selectively and exchangeably connecting a number of external connection members and establishing electrical engagement with the memory inside the body.
- a control circuit inside the body controls data input/output of the portable storage device.
- Each of the external connection members has a remote end forming a connector element in accordance with a specific data transfer standard, such as USB, IEEE1394, Serial ATA or RS232, whereby the portable storage device can be selectively connected to electronic devices having connection ports of different specifications with the specifically selected connector element. Portability of the storage device between different electronic devices is thus enhanced.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable storage device constructed in accordance with the present invention with an connection member detached therefrom;
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the connection of the portable storage device of the present invention with an external electronic device.
- a portable storage device constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises a rectangular bar like body 102 that comprises electronic memory elements 106 , such as flash memory or random access memory (RAM), housed in a casing 104 .
- memory elements 106 are mounted on a circuit board that is fixed in an interior space inside the casing 104 .
- the circuit board of the memory elements 106 is provided with input/output means (not shown) that allows for transfer-in and transfer-out of electronic signals for data storage/retrieval purposes.
- input/output means is generally known in the art and no further detail will be given herein.
- the casing 104 forms an access opening 108 at an end thereof.
- the access opening 108 is in communication with the interior space of the casing 104 and corresponds to the input/output means of the circuit board of the memory 106 .
- the portable storage device 100 further comprises a number of external connection members, which in the embodiment illustrated are three, respectively designated with reference numerals 110 , 112 , 114 . However, it is noted that the number of the external connection members can be increased or decreased as desired.
- Each external connection member 110 , 112 , 114 has a first, proximal end 116 having a physical size and shape tightly and removably receivable in the access opening 108 of the casing 104 and forming electrical engagement with the input/output means of the circuit board of the electronic memory 106 .
- the external connection members 110 , 112 , 114 can be exchangeably and selectively fit into the access opening 108 to electrically connect the electronic memory 106 inside the casing 104 .
- Each external connection member 110 , 112 , 114 has a second, remote end 118 which is made respectively in accordance with different data transfer standards, such as A-type USB, B-type USB, mini-USB, IEEE1394 and serial ATA and RS232.
- data transfer standards such as A-type USB, B-type USB, mini-USB, IEEE1394 and serial ATA and RS232.
- the portable storage device 100 comprises a control circuit 300 comprised of a central processing unit 302 that controls the operation of data transfer through the portable storage device 100 , memory 306 for temporary storage of the transferred data and a power source 304 driving the central processing unit 302 and the memory 306 , as well as the electronic memory 106 .
- the control circuit 300 functions to at least convert data of different specifications for enhancing storage and retrieval of data in and out of the electronic memory 106 .
- Such a control circuit 300 is generally known to those having ordinary skills in the art and thus no further detail is needed.
- the portable storage device 100 is allowed to selectively connect electronic devices that adopt different data transfer standards.
- the interchangeable connector comprised of a number of external connection members 110 , 112 , 114 that are selectively and removably connected with the memory elements 106 inside the storage device 100 .
- the portable storage device 100 is allowed to selectively connect electronic devices that adopt different data transfer standards.
- data transfer and thus portability of the data storage among different electronic devices is enhanced.
- Limitation caused by different data transfer standards is also eliminated by the present invention.
- cost for data transfer and storage is substantially reduced.
Abstract
A portable storage device having interchangeable connector is disclosed. The portable storage device includes a body inside which a memory is arranged and forming an access opening for selectively and exchangeably connecting a number of external connection members and establishing electrical engagement with the memory inside the body. A control circuit inside the body controls data input/output of the portable storage device. Each of the external connection members has a remote end forming a connector element in accordance with a specific data transfer standard, such as USB, IEEE1394, Serial ATA or RS232, whereby the portable storage device can be selectively connected to electronic devices having connection ports of different specifications with specifically selected connector element. Portability of the storage device between different electronic devices is thus enhanced.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates generally to a portable storage device, and in particular to a portable storage device having interchangeable connector whereby the portable storage device is selectively connectable to external devices having interface connections of different specifications or standards.
- 2. The Related Art
- The electronic portable storage devices have gone through a significant change in the history of technological development. Being magnetism based, the magnetic storage devices, such as floppy discs and hard disc drives that are inferior in data access and storage capacity, have been gradually replaced by electronic flash memory based device, such as a compact flash card, which comprises a compact case housing an amount of flash memory units. Such electronic storage devices have faster data access speed and environmental resistance, which means they can maintain normal operation in severe surroundings, such as high humidity, high temperature and high pressure. Thus, electronic storage devices are more advantageous in data transfer between electronic devices and/or computers.
- The electronic storage devices currently available make use of Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface to hook up with an electronic device or computer, which is the standard commonly adopted by the electronic and computer industries. However, there are multiple USB standards involved in the electronic and computer industries, including at least A-type USB, B-type USB and mini-USB. In addition, other standards are also available for computer systems, such as IEEE1394. These standards are not mechanically or electronically compatible with each other in general, which often causes troubles to general consumers in transferring data between different electronic devices or computers adopting different data transfer standards. Portability of the data storage devices between different electronic devices is thus difficult. For example, the mini-USB is commonly adopted in digital camera systems, while standard A-type USB is used in general computer systems; thus, an adapter or the likes are required in downloading digital pictures from digital camera to a computer. This causes extra expense and labors in data transfer.
- Thus, the present invention is aimed to provide a portable storage device having an interchangeable connector to overcome and eliminate the problems encountered in the prior art.
- Therefore, a primary objective of the present invention is to provide a portable storage device having an interchangeable connector comprising a plurality of connectors allowing for interfacing of different standard devices with different electronic devices to proceed with uploading, downloading and transfer of data among the devices.
- Another objective of the present invention is to provide a portable storage device having interchangeable connector that enhances portability of data storage between electronic devices having exchangeable interfaces among respective standards.
- A further objective of the present invention is to provide a portable storage device having interchangeable connector to select electronic devices having exchangeable interfaces among respective standards whereby one data storage device can be used with a number of different electronic devices to reduce the expense required for external data storage.
- To achieve the above objectives, in accordance with the present invention, a portable storage device having interchangeable connector is provided, wherein the portable storage device comprises a body inside which at least one memory chip is arranged and forming an access opening for selectively and exchangeably connecting a number of external connection members and establishing electrical engagement with the memory inside the body. A control circuit inside the body controls data input/output of the portable storage device. Each of the external connection members has a remote end forming a connector element in accordance with a specific data transfer standard, such as USB, IEEE1394, Serial ATA or RS232, whereby the portable storage device can be selectively connected to electronic devices having connection ports of different specifications with the specifically selected connector element. Portability of the storage device between different electronic devices is thus enhanced.
- The present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable storage device constructed in accordance with the present invention with an connection member detached therefrom; and -
FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the connection of the portable storage device of the present invention with an external electronic device. - With reference to the drawings and in particular to
FIG. 1 , a portable storage device constructed in accordance with the present invention, generally designated withreference numeral 100, comprises a rectangular bar likebody 102 that compriseselectronic memory elements 106, such as flash memory or random access memory (RAM), housed in acasing 104. If desired, memory other than electronic ones can be alternatively or additionally employed in theportable storage device 100 of the present invention. Thememory elements 106 are mounted on a circuit board that is fixed in an interior space inside thecasing 104. The circuit board of thememory elements 106 is provided with input/output means (not shown) that allows for transfer-in and transfer-out of electronic signals for data storage/retrieval purposes. Such input/output means is generally known in the art and no further detail will be given herein. - The
casing 104 forms an access opening 108 at an end thereof. Theaccess opening 108 is in communication with the interior space of thecasing 104 and corresponds to the input/output means of the circuit board of thememory 106. - The
portable storage device 100 further comprises a number of external connection members, which in the embodiment illustrated are three, respectively designated withreference numerals external connection member proximal end 116 having a physical size and shape tightly and removably receivable in the access opening 108 of thecasing 104 and forming electrical engagement with the input/output means of the circuit board of theelectronic memory 106. Thus, theexternal connection members electronic memory 106 inside thecasing 104. - Each
external connection member remote end 118 which is made respectively in accordance with different data transfer standards, such as A-type USB, B-type USB, mini-USB, IEEE1394 and serial ATA and RS232. Thus, proper electrical and data connection with an external electronic device (such as ahost device 200, seeFIG. 2 ) of a specific standard can be established between theelectronic device 200 and theportable storage device 100 by properly selecting a desired one of theexternal connection members portable storage device 100 and thehost device 200. - Also referring to
FIG. 2 , theportable storage device 100 comprises acontrol circuit 300 comprised of acentral processing unit 302 that controls the operation of data transfer through theportable storage device 100,memory 306 for temporary storage of the transferred data and apower source 304 driving thecentral processing unit 302 and thememory 306, as well as theelectronic memory 106. Thecontrol circuit 300 functions to at least convert data of different specifications for enhancing storage and retrieval of data in and out of theelectronic memory 106. Such acontrol circuit 300 is generally known to those having ordinary skills in the art and thus no further detail is needed. - By means of the interchangeable connector comprised of a number of
external connection members memory elements 106 inside thestorage device 100, theportable storage device 100 is allowed to selectively connect electronic devices that adopt different data transfer standards. Thus, data transfer and thus portability of the data storage among different electronic devices is enhanced. Limitation caused by different data transfer standards is also eliminated by the present invention. In addition, cost for data transfer and storage is substantially reduced. - Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that a variety of modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention which is intended to be defined by the appended claims.
Claims (17)
1. A portable storage device comprising:
a body defining an interior space and an access opening in communication with the interior space;
a memory arranged inside the body and having input/output means corresponding in position to the access opening; and
a first external connection member having a first end removably receivable in the access opening and engageable with the input/output means of the memory and a second end forming a connector element in accordance with a first data transfer standard adapted to mate a counterpart element provided in an external device thereby connecting the memory to the external device.
2. The portable storage device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the connector element of the second end of the first external connection member comprises an A-type Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector.
3. The portable storage device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the connector element of the second end of the first external connection member comprises a B-type Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector.
4. The portable storage device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the connector element of the second end of the first external connection member comprises an IEEE1394 connector.
5. The portable storage device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the connector element of the second end of the first external connection member comprises a mini Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector.
6. The portable storage device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a second external connection member having a first end identical to the first end of the first external connection member adapted to removably fit into the access opening of the body and engage the input/output means of the memory for replacing the first external connection member, the second external connection device having a second end forming a connector element in accordance with a second data transfer standard adapted to mate a counterpart element provided in an external device thereby connecting the memory to the external device, the second data transfer standard being different from the first data transfer standard.
7. The portable storage device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the memory comprises flash memory.
8. The portable storage device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a control circuit arranged inside the body for control of writing of data into the memory and retrieval of data from the memory.
9. The portable storage device as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the control circuit comprises. central processing unit.
10. The portable storage device as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the control circuit comprises memory.
11. The portable storage device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a power source inside the body.
12. A portable storage device comprising:
a body defining an interior space and an access opening in communication with the interior space;
a memory arranged inside the body and having input/output means corresponding in position to the access opening;
a first external connection member having a first end removably receivable in the access opening and engageable with the input/output means of the memory and a second end forming a connector element in accordance with a first data transfer standard adapted to mate a counterpart element provided in a first external device thereby connecting the memory to the first external device; and
a second external connection member having first end having a structure identical to the first end of the first external connection member and alternatively and removably receivable in the access opening and engageable with the input/output means of the memory so as to replace the first external connection member and a second end forming a connector element in accordance with a second data transfer standard, which is different from the first data transfer standard, adapted to mate a counterpart element provided in a second external device thereby connecting the memory to the second external device.
13. The portable storage device as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the memory comprises flash memory.
14. The portable storage device as claimed in claim 12 further comprising a control circuit arranged inside the body for control of writing of data into the memory and retrieval of data from the memory.
15. The portable storage device as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the control circuit comprises central processing unit.
16. The portable storage device as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the control circuit comprises memory.
17. The portable storage device as claimed in claim 12 further comprising a power source inside the body.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/778,767 US20050180101A1 (en) | 2004-02-14 | 2004-02-14 | Portable storage device with interchangeable connector |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/778,767 US20050180101A1 (en) | 2004-02-14 | 2004-02-14 | Portable storage device with interchangeable connector |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20050180101A1 true US20050180101A1 (en) | 2005-08-18 |
Family
ID=34838238
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US10/778,767 Abandoned US20050180101A1 (en) | 2004-02-14 | 2004-02-14 | Portable storage device with interchangeable connector |
Country Status (1)
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US (1) | US20050180101A1 (en) |
Cited By (7)
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US20070066119A1 (en) * | 2005-09-21 | 2007-03-22 | Tsung-Chu Wu | Memory device with serial AT attachment |
US20070083683A1 (en) * | 2005-10-06 | 2007-04-12 | Peng-Fei Lin | USB portable storage device with multi-port plugs |
KR100812277B1 (en) | 2005-08-26 | 2008-03-13 | 마츠시다 덴코 가부시키가이샤 | Connector |
US20110228467A1 (en) * | 2010-03-16 | 2011-09-22 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Semiconductor memory device |
US20150109725A1 (en) * | 2013-10-21 | 2015-04-23 | Phison Electronics Corp. | Flash drive and operating method thereof |
CN105490120A (en) * | 2015-12-10 | 2016-04-13 | 重庆慧团商贸有限公司 | Multifunctional USB converter interface |
US20190221976A1 (en) * | 2018-01-12 | 2019-07-18 | Getac Technology Corporation | Electronic device with replaceable adapter |
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US20030229796A1 (en) * | 2002-06-07 | 2003-12-11 | Hsuan-Ming Shih | System guide device based on flash memory and the implement of guide method |
US6733329B2 (en) * | 2002-08-21 | 2004-05-11 | Fu-I Yang | USB flash drive |
US6743030B2 (en) * | 2002-09-30 | 2004-06-01 | Asia Vital Components Co., Ltd. | Portable storage device with universal serial bus |
US20040233786A1 (en) * | 2003-05-23 | 2004-11-25 | Shao-Chieh Ting | USB disk watch |
-
2004
- 2004-02-14 US US10/778,767 patent/US20050180101A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US20030229796A1 (en) * | 2002-06-07 | 2003-12-11 | Hsuan-Ming Shih | System guide device based on flash memory and the implement of guide method |
US6733329B2 (en) * | 2002-08-21 | 2004-05-11 | Fu-I Yang | USB flash drive |
US6743030B2 (en) * | 2002-09-30 | 2004-06-01 | Asia Vital Components Co., Ltd. | Portable storage device with universal serial bus |
US20040233786A1 (en) * | 2003-05-23 | 2004-11-25 | Shao-Chieh Ting | USB disk watch |
Cited By (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
KR100812277B1 (en) | 2005-08-26 | 2008-03-13 | 마츠시다 덴코 가부시키가이샤 | Connector |
US20070066119A1 (en) * | 2005-09-21 | 2007-03-22 | Tsung-Chu Wu | Memory device with serial AT attachment |
US20070083683A1 (en) * | 2005-10-06 | 2007-04-12 | Peng-Fei Lin | USB portable storage device with multi-port plugs |
US20110228467A1 (en) * | 2010-03-16 | 2011-09-22 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Semiconductor memory device |
US8670243B2 (en) * | 2010-03-16 | 2014-03-11 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Semiconductor memory device |
US9351418B2 (en) | 2010-03-16 | 2016-05-24 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Semiconductor memory device |
US20150109725A1 (en) * | 2013-10-21 | 2015-04-23 | Phison Electronics Corp. | Flash drive and operating method thereof |
US9192063B2 (en) * | 2013-10-21 | 2015-11-17 | Phison Electronics Corp. | Flash drive and operating method thereof |
CN105490120A (en) * | 2015-12-10 | 2016-04-13 | 重庆慧团商贸有限公司 | Multifunctional USB converter interface |
US20190221976A1 (en) * | 2018-01-12 | 2019-07-18 | Getac Technology Corporation | Electronic device with replaceable adapter |
CN110034470A (en) * | 2018-01-12 | 2019-07-19 | 神讯电脑(昆山)有限公司 | Electronic device with replaceable adapter |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: C-ONE TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, TAIWAN Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:YU, GORDON;WEN, FORLI;CHENG, JUSTIN;REEL/FRAME:014991/0424 Effective date: 20040206 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |